This is the ninth studio album from Primal Fear, a band I have never quite 'got' musically as I often found them to be too much of a Judas Priest copycat at times. I am very pleased to be proved wrong though as this album is one glorious metal ride!

Alex Beyrodt makes his recording debut, joining fellow guitarist Magnus Karlsson (who trade solos like the classic Downing/Tipton axis), whilst Eric Martenssen (Eclipse/W.E.T) and Oliver Hartmann (ex-At Vance) guest on backing vocals. Like the aforementioned Judas Priest this band can pen a massive metal anthem be it 'Bad Guys Wear Black' or the relentless riffery of 'Metal Nation', the latter will be sure to wear out air guitars across the world. 'Where Angels Die' and 'Born Again' see the band slow the pace slightly whilst upping the pomp with massed vocals and  a few strings added into the mix. The whole album holds together well, even where they add a little pomp like on the opening song 'Unbreakable Part 1'.

What has really won me over to the band this time is the sheer metal class that oozes out of this album. It is a crowded metal market out there but this album will easily be one of the metal highlights of the year.

Jason Ritchie